Day care owner won't face additional murder charges

Published 5:27 pm, Friday, January 25, 2013

Attorney Mike DeGeurin and Jessica Tata, 22, during her July 2011 hearing in the 180th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse where she was denied a lower bond.

Attorney Mike DeGeurin and Jessica Tata, 22, during her July 2011 hearing in the 180th State District Court in the Harris County Criminal Courthouse where she was denied a lower bond.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Day care owner won't face additional murder charges

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Prosecutors on Friday dropped the remaining charges against Jessica Tata, a home day care operator who left seven children alone to go shopping as a fire broke out, killing four toddlers and injuring three.

Tata was sentenced to 80 years in prison last year for felony murder for the death of one of the children, although jurors heard about the deaths and injuries of all of the preschoolers.

"They heard about all of the kids, all seven were mentioned from beginning to end," said Assistant Harris County District Attorney Steve Baldassano. "I think the 80-year sentence reflected that."

He said there was no way to "stack" additional sentences on top of the 80-year punishment, so any more trials would be redundant.

"There's really no reason to drag the families through all of that again," Baldassano said.

If Tata appeals the case and wins, prosecutors would just re-try the case, he said. And, he added, because there is no statute of limitations on murder, so any of the cases could be refiled if necessary.

With the cases dismissed, he said, Tata can be moved from the Harris County jail to prison. She will be eligible for parole in 30 years.